How many pounds?

[jkcerda]

Ok , pretty disappointed with the speed & penetration of the #45 pound Sierra.   That said.   I doubt I'm ever going to hunt with it.  3-D & spots will be its main use
I can handle the #45 a bit better now, I don't shake as much.

Should I go with a #50 lbs bow for the next one?
Is poundage/speed over rated for 3-D?

Here in komiefornia. We shoot out to 80 yards on the 3-D course. Not sure what the limitations will be with the recurve/longbow. I see the trad guys here shoot the full 3-D course.  I'm just not sure how well they do since I have been slumped in with the compound guys

[arrowslinger22]

If you are still shaking, you may be at your poundage limit at the moment.  Poor penetration can be due to other things besides bow weight, specifically arrow flight and weight of the arrow.

[Sam McMichael]

It sounds like, since you are still shaking a bit, you are still not quite conditioned in for the bow. This can affect form, which can detract from performance. Also, there is the possibility of tuning issues which can affect performance also. 45# in the hands of a proficient archer can be very deadly on many types of game, even though I admit I prefer 65#.

What kind of penetration test did you use?

Don't go up in poundage until you are fully comfortable with the poundage you are currently at. The answer is training and conditioning.

As for shooting 80 yards on a 3D course, that's just plain nuts, even for the wheelie bows. For me, it would be a waste of time. I have never shot a 3D course with trad shots over 40 yards and most were a lot closer.

Most of the trad guys I know limit shots to 15 or 20 yards on game. 45# is sufficient at those ranges for most of what you may hunt, but I would want more if I ran into a big bear, like a .45-70.

Don't get discouraged as this is a skill developed over time. Just keep working and stay focused. It will come.

[Shakes.602]

Try some Lighter Arrows out of that 45 pounder! Penetration  WILL  increase! Smaller, Lighter, makes  YOUR  Precision tighter too, no Line-Cutter Logs!  

[Thumper Dunker]

We kick thier buns alot of the times. That 45 will do alot more than you think. + 2 on what Shakes said. Where at in this wacked out state are you?

[The Whittler]

jkcerda, I am sure your 45# bow will stick arrows into 3d targets, they don't bounce out do they.

Now put a 2 blade BH and do not worry about penetration, just make sure to put that SHARP BH where it belongs. That 45# bow will kill any North American animal.

If you are haveing problems with the 45# then you need to shoot it more. Do not go up in poundage until the 45# feels real easy, then I would not go up more then 2-3 pounds.

Good luck.

[AWPForester]

Agree with Whittler and Shakes.602.  There are situations where optimiuim performannce, meaning pentration is hampered by an arrow that is too heavy.  But what you got will get it done.  It has been for thousands of years.

What I strongly disagree with is the advice to stay where you are at.  Drop down and do as many push ups as you can for the next 2 months once a night.  After about three weeks, you are going to peak out.  The only way to go above that peak is to train your muscles stronger.  So how do you ever intend to move up in poundage if all you ever shoot is 45 pounds?

Fast twitch muscles are for endurance, speed, repitition etc...  Slow twitch are for strength.  General exercise strengthens both, but specailized exercises aimed at each group is where you will see major gains in strenght and endurance.  You accomplish this by shooting a lighter and heavier bow interchangeably.

Get a heavier bow and begin shooting with it.  When you fatigue to the point of form failure, shoot the lighter bow.  In 2 weeks you'll be where your at currently with the lighter bow, and the lighter bow will be rock solid.  It really is that simple, but if you want to move up you gotta train for it.  Shooting 45 pounds for another 6 months is not the answer.  God Bless

[STICKBENDER98]

Alot of good advice here i started out with a 45# bear polar that was my dads, moved up to 50#s for a couple years, tried to make a jump to 60#s and settled back down to 50#s and have been happy since.  Practice Practice Practice that always helps.

[Red Beastmaster]

If you are shaking you are holding too long. Lock onto your spot, draw back, touch anchor, and release. My "hold" is never more than one second.

There's no time for the shakes if you have a fluid shot routine.

[jkcerda]

thanks for the input guys, I have been trying to hold 2-3seconds, more than that make ne shake a bit, shot about one hour today at Bass pro
 

Best 3shot group at 20 yards. 3 fingers under. Holding 2 secs.

average was on paper, ALL  over it :embara: